cheap meals please help!!

[fivebyfive]

I am going to be very very very very very very very (did I mention very) low on cash for about 3 weeks what are some ideas for inexpensive meals. I have gone all the way through all the ladders and like to keep my carb intake at no more than 40 a day..

[fawn]

Re: cheap meals please help!!

chicken wings pre-frozen in bags
inexpensive hamburger meat
What would you normally eat? Find less expensive options. Farmers markets this time of year are generally less expensive. Though I cringe suggesting this but hot dogs are generally pretty in-expensive. Usually though the chicken legs and thighs are going to be your less expensive cuts. As well, get out the crock pot for those beef cuts that are less expensive but also a bit tough. Stretch a roast out for a few days. I hope this helps.
In other words, shop frugally through the outer perimeter of the store.

[not2late]

Re: cheap meals please help!!

Eggs: Use your imagination
Scrambled: add veggies and some meat
Fried:
Boiled: hard boiled eggs peels and sliced or quartered can be topped with a cheese sauce and browned until a broiler. Add a veggie for a complete meal
Quiche: toss all your leftovers and you have a meal in one

Ground Meat buy the family pack:
Saute the ground meat and season it plainly. This can be kept in the refrigerator. Use portions of it by seasoning and heating it. Add to eggs (see above) or eat as filling for burritos. You can also add it to broth and veggies for a quick soup
Make into meatballs and store in freezer:

Veggies and fruit: buy the seasonal veggies and fruits. If you have farmer's markets of farm stands, try them. Usually at the farmer's market, if you go near closing time, you can get the veg and fruit cheap because they want to sell the produce quickly.

[fawn]

Re: cheap meals please help!!

oh duh! I forgot eggs! They are so inexpensive!

[Yoly1001]

Re: cheap meals please help!!

How about canned tuna fish or canned salmon? You can add different things to this to get a different taste.

[Momtofour]

Re: cheap meals please help!!

I have found that I love spaghetti squash. When I make one I can usually get 3-4 servings out of it. I just reheat it with butter and kind of stir fry it. It is really good with over easy eggs on top. Might sound wierd, but it tastes really good. My husband loves it too. Good luck!

[Yoly1001]

Re: cheap meals please help!!

I have found that I love spaghetti squash. When I make one I can usually get 3-4 servings out of it. I just reheat it with butter and kind of stir fry it. It is really good with over easy eggs on top. Might sound wierd, but it tastes really good. My husband loves it too. Good luck!

Hi Momtofour, I was wondering, how do you cook your squash. I have never eaten this before and tried to boil it one day, I must have done something wrong because it did not come out right at all. Is it supposed to be stringy like spaghetti. I would love to be able to add some new veges, but not sure how to go about it. Thanks for the help.

[womanpraised]

Re: cheap meals please help!!

Trader Joes baby artichoke packs,,, very cheap for veggies, and they last a long time. Buy a whole chicken and roast/crockpot it, cheaper than canned, or get drums and thighs. SIGH. Salad... and eggs.. .we have to eat cheap all the time, and it does tend to get repetative...

I call the supermarkets in the area.. and ask when they mark down their clearance meat, and make sure I get there for that right off... If they say, oh we mark them down all the time, ask when they do their major markdown, and idf they wont answer, call back at a time when it is another shift, or ask the manager. I explained, single mom, kids adn budget, and they were happy to tell me when the markdowns were. Stuffmart doesnt do this, but a lot of grocery stores (I LOVE Albertsons for this) do. The meat is fine to cook right away or freeze. I also buy clearance eggs, and low sugar yogurt , the yogurt is good for about a week past the sell by (it is a SELL by) date, and the eggs are good for a long time. You could also chekc your local big lots and dollar stores.. I sometimes find a good deal on stuff there.

***also, stuffmart will match all advertised prices... so you dont have to store hop to get the best prices, this is esp helpful on produce... bring the circulars from the other stores, and their policy says they must match it***

[Desertthorn]

Re: cheap meals please help!!

I have been there and done that. Whole chicken or a small turkey , see if you can find it on sale, can make a few meals, depending on how many are in your family. Meat loaf can be a dinner and then a substantial lunch.